Which of the following is not a common timed specimen?

Which of the following is not a common timed specimen?

• A. Glucose levels
• B. Iron levels
• C. Cortisol levels
• D. Liver enzymes

Answer: (D)

Timed specimens are blood samples that are collected at specific intervals to monitor changes in a patient's condition, medication levels, or bodily functions. Choosing which specimens are typically measured at set times helps clinicians accurately assess the data. Liver enzymes, while important for evaluating liver function, do not typically require timed collections. Unlike glucose, iron, or cortisol levels, which can be influenced by various factors at different times of the day—such as meals or changes in hormone levels—liver enzyme levels are generally not associated with time-specific variations. Instead, they are usually measured in routine testing without the need for specific timing. In contrast, glucose levels may be monitored closely in the context of diabetes management, iron levels can vary based on the time of day, and cortisol levels have a well-defined diurnal rhythm, peaking in the early morning and tapering off throughout the day. Therefore, liver enzymes stand out as the specimen that is not commonly collected as a timed specimen compared to the others listed.

Timed specimens are blood samples that are collected at specific intervals to monitor changes in a patient's condition, medication levels, or bodily functions. Choosing which specimens are typically measured at set times helps clinicians accurately assess the data.

Liver enzymes, while important for evaluating liver function, do not typically require timed collections. Unlike glucose, iron, or cortisol levels, which can be influenced by various factors at different times of the day—such as meals or changes in hormone levels—liver enzyme levels are generally not associated with time-specific variations. Instead, they are usually measured in routine testing without the need for specific timing.

In contrast, glucose levels may be monitored closely in the context of diabetes management, iron levels can vary based on the time of day, and cortisol levels have a well-defined diurnal rhythm, peaking in the early morning and tapering off throughout the day. Therefore, liver enzymes stand out as the specimen that is not commonly collected as a timed specimen compared to the others listed.